Elevated Floor Panel Profiles for Outdoor Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floor panels are unsuitable for outdoor use due to lack of effective securing methods, vulnerability to adverse weather, and potential for water pooling, leading to slippery and dangerous surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A set of parts comprising floor panels and profiles, where the profiles are designed to elevate the panels, allowing for air circulation and water evacuation, with a textured surface for slip resistance, and a durable coating for weather resistance, facilitating easy installation and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional floor panels are used for outdoor installation, then installation simplicity is maintained, but water pooling occurs creating slippery surfaces and panel damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a profile system that elevates floor panels above the underlying surface, creating a third dimension (vertical clearance) beneath the panels. This dimensional change enables water to drain away from the panel surfaces and allows air circulation to accelerate drying, thereby eliminating water pooling while maintaining installation simplicity through the modular profile-panel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flooring system is segmented into separate components: floor panels and profiles. The profiles are positioned at the edges and corners of the flooring area, creating a modular assembly where panels can be easily installed and removed. This segmentation allows the drainage and ventilation functions to be implemented through the profile structure without complicating the panel installation process.
2Reliability
If profiles elevate floor panels to enable air circulation and water evacuation, then weather resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The profiles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they elevate the floor panels above the surface, provide structural support, enable water drainage, facilitate air circulation for drying, and create a secure anchoring system. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the system achieves superior weather resistance without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The profiles act as intermediary elements between the underlying surface and the floor panels. Rather than directly installing panels on the surface, the profiles mediate this relationship by providing elevation and creating the necessary clearance for drainage and ventilation, thereby protecting the panels from direct exposure to moisture and environmental damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If profiles contact less than 90% of the bottom major surface area, then water evacuation is improved, but structural support may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The profile contact with the floor panel bottom surface is concentrated at specific locations (edges and perimeter areas) rather than distributed uniformly across the entire surface. This local quality approach provides sufficient structural support at the boundaries while maintaining large open spaces in the center and along the bottom surface for effective water evacuation and air circulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a secure, slip-resistant, and durable exterior flooring system that can withstand outdoor conditions, ensuring safety and longevity by minimizing water accumulation and enhancing installation ease.
Implementation Method 1
the profiles allow for air to freely circulate along at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, or even more preferably at least 40% of the area of the bottom major surface of the corresponding floor panel
Data Source
AI summary
A set of parts for installing a floor covering includes a plurality of floor panels and a plurality of profiles. The floor panels are provided for being installed over an underlying surface. In an installed condition, the bottom major surface of each of the floor panels is elevated from the underlying surface by means of the corresponding profile. The floor panels at least at their top major surface include a decor formed by a print, a wood veneer or a stone veneer.